Roughyeds take up new challenge

OLDHAM’S players take on a new challenge tonight, as the task of filling a three-week gap without a fixture begins in earnest.

Tony Benson’s squad will convene at Trafford Park for a team-building exercise featuring a host of tasks on a ground-level assault course.

The reserves were put through their paces on the course at the weekend and positive reports were fed back to Benson suggesting that the exercise will prove beneficial.

“There are a few different aspects to it and it is very challenging both physically and mentally,” Benson said.

“It will be tough going for the players but it will be beneficial for us.

“After that, we have another training session on Thursday and one on Saturday where we will be aiming to replicate the intensity of a match situation.

“That will leave us with just over a week-and-a-half of building up towards the York game.”

The match Benson refers to, away at York City Knights, takes place on Thursday, June 25 (7.30pm) and is the second successive Roughyeds fixture be televised on Sky Sports.

There are other key fixtures in Championship One this week. Dewsbury are at home to Keighley on Thursday night, York travel to Hunslet and Workington host Swinton.

The reason Oldham are without a game is because the originally-scheduled home clash with London Skolars was held back until Thursday, August 6, in order that it can be played at Boundary Park and again broadcast live on Sky.